I use two mages, one with earth+ice and one with fire+air and I use spellcasting all the time. I do not find the rune system hard or tedious. Each of the spells I unlocked so far have been useful in their own regard. In some areas I resort to spellcasting alone since I find spellcasting more reliable than hacking (since the game is hard as it is I am forced to put points in defense more than offense, so I do not do enough damage in melee and when facing stuff that deals poison or coughs poison clouds melee is awful).

— Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind. - John F Kennedy
An eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind. - Mahatma Gandhi
The world is my country. To do good is my religion. My mind is my own church. This simple creed is all we need to enjoy peace on earth. - Thomas Paine